Double-sided oil cooler for use in a generator engine

ABSTRACT

An oil cooler is disclosed that comprises a base plate including a recessed portion defined by an interior wall and an exterior wall and including an inlet port and an outlet port. The base plate further includes a divider wall positioned in the recessed portion and extending between the exterior wall and the interior wall to separate the inlet port and the outlet port, a plurality of protrusions arranged in the recessed portion to provide a plurality of tortuous flow paths through which oil flows from the inlet port to the outlet port, and a first set of cooling fins formed on a surface of the base plate opposite the recessed portion. A cover plate is attached to the base plate so as to cover the recessed portion and thereby define a cavity to circulate the oil therethrough, the cover plate including a second set of cooling fins formed thereon.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a non-provisional of, and claims priority to,U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/687,337, filed Jun. 20,2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to oil coolers and, moreparticularly, to a double-sided oil cooler that is cooled by separateair flows on opposing sides thereof.

General purpose internal combustion engines used as prime movers inpower generators and various other applications are often air cooled byan engine cooling fan and use an oil cooler placed within the air flowpath of the cooling fan to supply cooled oil to the engine and maintainengine efficiency. The oil cooler is typically attached to a surface ofthe internal combustion engine facing the airflow and has conduitsrunning from the oil cooler to the engine so as to route oil from theengine, to the oil cooler, and back to the engine.

Oil coolers used to maintain an acceptable oil temperature level havenormally been of the tube and fin radiator type. The design of theseunits normally includes a flow path defined by tubing that forms a pathbetween an inlet and outlet of the oil cooler. Hot oil is fed into theinlet of the oil cooler, from which it is distributed through the tubingalong a defined, tortuous flow path to the outlet on the opposite end ofthe oil cooler. As the oil passes through the tubing on its way to theoutlet, it transfers much of its heat to the tubing, which in turntransfers the heat to fins that are lodged between each row oftubes—with the oil being cooled as a result of heat exchange between thefins and the surrounding ambient air. The fins greatly increase thecontact surface of the tubing to the air, thus increasing the exchangeefficiency. The cooled oil is then fed back to the engine, and the cyclerepeats.

While tube-and-fin radiator type oil coolers that are mounted to theengine block provide effective heat exchange for the oil, it isrecognized that there are several limitations or drawbacks associatedwith such a design and arrangement. As one example, when the oil cooleris mounted to the surface of the internal combustion engine so as to bein the air flow path of the cooling fan, air flow to the internalcombustion engine is blocked by the oil cooler. Therefore, areas of theinternal combustion engine that would otherwise be in the air flow pathare not able to be directly cooled by the air flow of the cooling fan,resulting in the engine having a higher operating temperature, and theoil having a higher temperature when leaving the engine and firstarriving at the oil cooler—so as to decrease engine operatingefficiency. Also, the amount of cooling provided by the oil cooler islimited due to air flow from the cooling fan being directed toward onlyone side of the oil cooler. Another drawback/limitation of atube-and-fin radiator type oil cooler is that they are expensive toproduce and difficult to repair when a leak develops therein, and theconstruction of the oil cooler is such that the volume of oil that iscycled therethrough may be limited below a desired amount.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an oil cooler that may beimplemented in various devices that employ an internal combustion engineand be mounted in a location off of the engine. It would further bedesirable for the oil cooler to be designed and mounted in a manner thatallows for double-sided cooling thereof. It would still further bedesirable for the oil cooler to have an increased volume that providesfor cooling of a larger amount of oil.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a double-sided oil coolerthat is cooled by separate air flows on opposing sides thereof, withsuch an oil cooler configured to be implemented in a generator engine.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an oil cooler includes abase plate and a cover plate. The base plate includes a recessed portionformed on a first surface of the base plate, the recessed portiondefined by an interior wall and an exterior wall, with the recessedportion including an inlet port and an outlet port. The base plate alsoincludes a divider wall positioned in the recessed portion and extendingbetween the exterior wall and the interior wall to separate the inletport and the outlet port, a plurality of protrusions arranged in therecessed portion to provide a plurality of tortuous flow paths throughwhich oil flows from the inlet port to the outlet port, and a first setof cooling fins formed on a second surface of the base plate oppositethe first surface. The cover plate is attached to the first surface ofthe base plate so as to cover the recessed portion and thereby define acavity to circulate the oil therethrough, the cover plate including asecond set of cooling fins formed thereon.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a standby generatorincludes an internal combustion engine, an alternator driven by theinternal combustion engine to produce electrical power for distributionfrom the standby generator, and an adaptor component comprising a firstend coupled to the engine and a second end spaced apart from the firstend and coupled to the alternator, the adaptor component positioned suchthat the internal combustion engine is on a first side thereof and thealternator is on a second side thereof. The standby generator alsoincludes an oil cooler fluidly connected to the internal combustionengine to receive heated oil therefrom and return cooled oil backthereto, the oil cooler integrated with or affixed to the adaptercomponent.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, an oil coolerassembly includes an adaptor component having an engine mounting flangeat a first end of the adaptor component that is couplable to an internalcombustion engine, an alternator mounting flange at a second end of theadaptor component that is couplable to an alternator, and an inlet airduct positioned between the first end and the second end, the inlet airduct defining an air inlet opening that provides for an air flow into aninterior volume of the inlet air duct. The oil cooler assembly alsoincludes an oil cooler integrated with or affixed to the adaptercomponent such that a front surface of the oil cooler is outside of theinterior volume of the inlet air duct and a back surface of the oilcooler is within the interior volume of the inlet air duct, the oilcooler including cooling fins on each of the front surface and backsurface thereof.

Various other features and advantages will be made apparent from thefollowing detailed description and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments presently contemplated forcarrying out the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are exploded perspective views of an oil cooler andintegrated adapter component from a front side and back side,respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are assembled perspective views of the oil cooler andintegrated adapter component of FIGS. 1 and 2 from the front side andback side, respectively.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are a front view and rear view, respectively, of the baseplate of the oil cooler and integrated adapter component of FIGS. 1 and2.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are a front view and rear view, respectively, of the coverplate of the oil cooler of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the oil cooler shown in FIG. 3 takenalong line 9-9.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are a front right perspective view and front leftperspective view, respectively, of an oil cooler and integrated adaptercomponent that includes an alternator cooling duct, in accordance withan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view from the left upper side of an electricalgenerator having the oil cooler and integrated adapter component ofFIGS. 1 and 2 incorporated therein, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view from the right upper side of theelectrical generator of FIG. 12 with left and right doors opened toexpose the electrical generator components within.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing components of the electricalgenerator of FIG. 12 from the right upper side of an alternator drivenby an engine having a muffler positioned in a muffler box.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 14 having the alternatorand the oil cooler and integrated adaptor component exploded from theengine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An operating environment of the invention is described here below withrespect to a standby generator having an internal combustion engine forpower generation and an associated oil cooler for cooling the engineoil. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatembodiments of the invention are equally applicable for use with otherdevices that utilize an internal combustion engine as a prime mover andthat employ an air-cooled oil cooler to supply cooled oil to the engineand maintain engine efficiency. Moreover, an embodiment will bedescribed with respect to an internal combustion engine used to drive analternator to generate electricity for distribution from the standbygenerator. However, one skilled in the art will further appreciate thatthe invention is equally applicable for use with internal combustionengines in applications other than for electrical power generation.

Referring to FIGS. 1-9, various views of a double-sided oil cooler 10(and individual components thereof) are shown according to an exemplaryembodiment of the invention. The oil cooler 10 functions to receiveheated oil received from an engine that is fluidly connected thereto andcirculates the heated oil therethrough in order to provide cooling tothe oil before returning the oil to the engine. According to anexemplary embodiment of the invention, the oil cooler 10 is a“donut-type” oil cooler that provides a generally circular flow paththat the oil flows along when circulating through the oil cooler 10. Aswill be explained in further detail below, while a generally circularflow path is defined by the donut-type oil cooler 10, the oil cooler 10enables a tortuous flow with no set flow path therethrough—with theconstruction of the oil cooler 10 providing multiple undefined flowpaths through which the oil may flow when moving between an inlet andoutlet of the oil cooler 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1-9, the oil cooler 10 is constructed of a base plate12 and a cover plate 14 that are joined together to from a cavity 16(FIG. 9) through which heated oil received from an engine may flow toundergo cooling before being returned to the engine. The base plate 12is formed as a generally oblong or oval shaped member and includes anopening 18 formed therein in a central region of the oblong/oval baseplate 12 that extends therethrough. The base plate 12 also includes aplurality of threaded holes 20 formed therethrough that are configuredto accommodate fasteners 22 therein for securing the cover plate 14 tothe base plate 12 and, in one embodiment, for mounting/securing the oilcooler 10 in a desired position and orientation relative to itsassociated engine. Thus, according to one embodiment, threaded holes 20may generally be formed in a circular arrangement at locations thatcorrespond to an outer circumference 24 of the ring-shaped cover plate14 and in a circular arrangement at locations that correspond to aninner circumference 26 of the ring-shaped cover plate 14.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, a first surface 28 of the baseplate 12 is formed to generally define a raised portion 30 and arecessed portion 32. The recessed portion 32 is formed as a ring-shaped(or donut-shaped) recess that is defined by a generally circularexterior wall 34 and a circular interior wall 36 extending downward fromthe raised portion 30 to a bottom of the recessed portion 32. The raisedportion 30 thus outlines an outer circumference 38 of the ring-shapedrecessed portion 32 about exterior wall 34 and also outlines an innercircumference 40 of the ring-shaped recessed portion 32. The raisedportion 30 of first surface 28 that outlines the inner circumference 40of the ring-shaped recessed portion 32 also surrounds and defines theopening 18 formed through the base plate 12.

The raised portion 30 of first surface 28 includes the threaded holes 20formed therein that receive fasteners 22 for securing the cover plate 14to the base plate 12 and enclosing the recessed portion 32 to form acavity 16. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the recessed portion 32 includesan inlet port 42 and an outlet port 44 formed therein that enable oil toenter into the recessed portion 32 and exit from the recessed portion32. A divider wall 46 is positioned in the recessed portion 32 at alocation between the inlet port 42 and outlet port. The divider wall 46extends between the exterior wall 34 and the interior wall 36 toseparate the inlet port 42 from the outlet port 44—with a generallycircular flow path thus being defined that the oil flows along whencirculating through the oil cooler 10 from the inlet port 42 to theoutlet port 44.

As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of protrusions or wall portions 48 arepositioned in the recessed portion 32 and arranged in a spaced apartfashion. According to an exemplary embodiment, the protrusions 48 areformed in the recessed portion 32 in a diamond plate or “waffle iron”pattern, with gaps provided between each respective protrusion 48 andone or more adjacent protrusions 48, and with adjacent protrusions 48being formed at a different angle/orientation from adjacent protrusions48. The waffle iron pattern of protrusions 48 provides a plurality oftortuous flow paths through which oil flows from the inlet port 42 tothe outlet port 44, such that there is no single defined flow pathbetween the inlet port 42 and the outlet port 44. According to anexemplary embodiment, the exterior wall 34 includes finger portions 50extending inwardly from the exterior wall 34 and into the recessedportion 32, with the finger portions 50 interacting with the protrusions48 to further define the plurality of tortuous flow paths. That is, thefinger portions 50 function to kick oil back into the plurality oftortuous flow paths formed by the protrusions 48, with the protrusions48 and the finger portions 50 thus preventing oil flow dead zones andshort circuits within the cavity 16.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6, a second surface 52 of thebase plate 12 that is opposite the first surface 28 is formed to includea set of heat sink fins 54 thereon. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the heat sink fins 54 are constructed as plate fins and arethus referenced as plate fins 54 hereafter, although it is recognizedthat other fin structures (e.g., pin fins) could be substituted for theplate fins. The plate fins 54 generally cover an entirety of the secondsurface 52 of the oblong/oval base plate 12 and are arranged at a numberof different locations and orientations on the second surface 52 so asto generally define a number of channels. A flow of cooling air from anair source is directed towards and across the plate fins 54 and isfunneled through the channels so as to provide cooling to the secondsurface 52 of the base plate 12. In operation of oil cooler 10, heat istransferred from the oil circulating within cavity 16 to the base plate12—with the plate fins 54 on the second surface 52 of the base plate 12receiving a portion of this heat and transferring it to the ambientenvironment via convective heat transfer that is enhanced by the flow ofcooling air directed across the plate fins 54.

More detailed views of the cover plate 14 are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Ascan be seen therein, the cover plate 14 is a ring or donut shaped platehaving a size that matches that of the recessed portion 32 of base plate12. The cover plate 14 includes a plurality of threaded holes 56 formedtherethrough that are configured to accommodate fasteners 22 therein forsecuring the cover plate 14 to the base plate 12. Thus, according to oneembodiment, threaded holes 56 may generally be formed in a circulararrangement at locations that correspond to the threaded holes 22 formedin base plate 12—i.e., along the outer circumference 24 and innercircumference 26 of the ring-shaped cover plate 14.

A front surface 58 of the cover plate 14 is formed to include a set ofheat sink fins 60 thereon. According to an exemplary embodiment, theheat sink fins 60 are constructed as pin fins and are thus referenced aspin fins 60 hereafter, although it is recognized that other finstructures (e.g., plate fins) could be substituted for the pin fins 60.The pin fins 60 generally cover an entirety of the front surface 58 ofthe cover plate 14. A flow of cooling air from an air source is directedtowards and across the pin fins 60 so as to provide cooling to the coverplate 14 of oil cooler 10. In operation of oil cooler 10, heat istransferred from the oil circulating within cavity 16 to the cover plate14—with the pin fins 60 on the front surface 58 of the cover plate 14receiving a portion of this heat and transferring it to the ambientenvironment via convective heat transfer that is enhanced by the flow ofcooling air directed across the pin fins 60.

A back surface 62 of the cover plate 14 that mates with the base plate12 is formed as a generally flat surface and includes a pair of O-rings64, 66 thereon (proximate outer circumference 24 and inner circumference26) that form a tight seal with base plate 12 upon securing of the coverplate 14 to the base plate 12. As best seen in the cross-sectional viewof oil cooler 10 shown in FIG. 9, the flat back surface 62 of coverplate 14 is mounted flush with the protrusions 48 and divider wall 46 inthe recessed portion 32 of base plate 12 such that fluid flow paths areformed by a bottom 68 of the recessed portion 32, the protrusions48/divider wall 46, and the back surface 62 of the cover plate 14. Asdescribed previously, a plurality of tortuous flow paths is thus formedin the cavity 16 through which oil flows from the inlet port 42 to theoutlet port 44, such that there is no single defined flow path betweenthe inlet port 42 and the outlet port 44

The structure of oil cooler 10—with the set of fins 54 of base plate 12extending out from one surface of the oil cooler 10 and the set of fins60 of cover plate 14 extending out from the opposite surface of the oilcooler 10—provides for a double-sided oil cooler 10 that may be cooledon both sides to optimize a thermal transfer of heat from the engine oilflowing therethrough to the ambient environment. That is, the plate fins54 on the second surface 52 of the base plate 12 and the pin fins 60 onthe front surface 58 of the cover plate 14 provide for enhanced coolingof both opposing surfaces of the oil cooler 10. Separate air flows maybe directed over each of the plate fins 54 and the pin fins 60 tofurther enhance the rate of convective heat transfer provided by the oilcooler 10, as will be explained in further detail below.

While the double-sided oil cooler 10 has been described above inisolation as a stand-alone component (that may be mounted by way offasteners 22 to a desired structure), an exemplary embodiment of theinvention is directed to the integration of the oil cooler 10 into anadaptor component 70 to form an “oil cooler assembly” as is shown inFIGS. 1-6. In the illustrated embodiment, the oil cooler 10 isintegrated into an adaptor component 70 that provides for a desiredarrangement and coupling of an internal combustion engine with analternator, such as might be desired in a standby generator for example,and thus the adaptor component 70 is hereafter referred to as an“alternator adaptor 70.” A more detailed description of the alternatoradaptor 70 is set forth here below along with integration of the oilcooler 10 therewith. While oil cooler 10 is described here below asbeing formed integrally with the alternator adaptor 70, such as via amachining and/or casting operation that forms the alternator adaptor 70and oil cooler 10 as a single piece, it is recognized that the oilcooler 10 could instead be mounted on and affixed to the alternatoradaptor 70 by way of appropriate fasteners.

As best shown in FIGS. 1-4, alternator adaptor 70 includes a main body72 that comprises a first end 74 that is couplable to an internalcombustion engine and a second end 76 opposite the first end 74 that iscouplable to an alternator. The main body 72 is formed a generallycylindrically shaped member and includes an engine mounting flange 78formed at the first end 74 that enables mounting of the engine to thealternator adaptor 70 and an alternator mounting flange 80 at the secondend 76 that enables mounting of the alternator to the alternator adaptor70. The main body 72 includes one or more vents 82 on one side thereofto provide an opening into the interior of the cylindrical main body 72,with the vent(s) 82 being formed at a location between the first andsecond ends 74, 76. A first set of mounting projections 84 are formed onthe main body 72 at the first and second ends 74, 76 that receivefasteners 86 coupling the engine to the alternator adaptor 70, and asecond set of mounting projections 88 are formed on the main body 72that receive fasteners 86 coupling the alternator to the alternatoradaptor 70. The mounting projections 84, 88 each have an opening formedtherein to receive the fasteners 86.

The alternator adaptor 70 also includes an inlet air duct 90 (i.e.,engine air duct) extending outwards from a side of the main body 72between the engine mounting flange 78 and the alternator mounting flange80. The inlet air duct 90 has a generally rectangular cross-sectionhaving a width approximately equal to the length of the main body 72,and a height slightly larger than a diameter of the cylindrical mainbody 72. The inlet air duct 90 extends across a center of the main body72, with a top wall 92, bottom wall 94, and side walls 96 generallydefining an interior volume 98 of the inlet air duct 90 and outlining arectangular opening 100 (i.e., “air inlet”) on one side of the inlet airduct 90 that is oriented perpendicular to the cylindrical main body 72.The top wall 92 and bottom wall 94 curve into the cylindrical main body72 on an end thereof opposite the rectangular opening 100. The sidewalls 96 are joined to main body 72 at locations such that the vent(s)82 in the main body 72 are positioned within the inlet air duct 90, withthe rectangular opening 100 thus being in fluid communication with thevent(s) 82.

According to one embodiment, the alternator adaptor 70 includes asupport arm 102 extending between the side walls 96 of the inlet airduct 90. The support arm 102 may be formed so as to have a curvedprofile that matches that of the cylindrical main body 72 and may bepositioned so as to bisect the vent 82 formed in the main body 72,thereby serving to define two separate vents 82 in the main body 72 influid communication with inlet air duct 90. The support arm 102 has anopening 104 formed therein aligned with an opening 106 in the side wall96 of inlet air duct 90 on the second end 76 of main body 72 foraccommodating a fastener to couple the alternator adaptor 70 to theengine.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the first end 74 of main body 72 is left opento provide an airflow outlet 108—with the airflow outlet 108 defined bythe engine mounting flange 78. The airflow outlet 108 places theinterior volume of the inlet air duct 90 in fluid communication with theengine that is connected to the engine mounting flange 78 of thealternator adaptor 70. An air flow path is thus provided from the inletair duct 90, through the vent(s) 82 in main body 72, and out through theairflow outlet 108 of the alternator adaptor 70. Air may thus be drawnin along the air flow path by an engine cooling fan adjacent the airflowoutlet 108 and then blown by the engine cooling fan across the internalcombustion engine that is mounted to the alternator adaptor 70.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the second end 76 of main body 72 is coveredby oil cooler 10—with the alternator mounting flange 80 forming amounting feature on the first surface 28 of the base plate 12 of the oilcooler 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the oil cooler 10 is formedintegrally with the alternator adaptor 70—with it being understood thatthe oil cooler 10 could be considered as forming part of the main body72 or as forming part of the side wall 96 of inlet air duct 90 that isadjacent the second end 76 of the main body 72. The alternator mountingflange 80 is formed on base plate 12 of oil cooler 10 at a locationadjacent where the cover plate 14 is fastened to base plate 12, in anarea outside of the cover plate 14 mounting location, such that the oilcooler 10 does not interfere with mounting of the alternator to thealternator adaptor 70. As previously described, the oil cooler 10includes an opening 18 formed therethrough that accommodates an enginecrankshaft and/or alternator shaft therein—with it being recognized thatthe opening 18 is configured/sized to prevent substantial airflowthrough the oil cooler 10, so as to separate an airflow on the firstside of the oil cooler 10 from an airflow on the second side of the oilcooler 10.

As the oil cooler 10 is formed into alternator adaptor 70 at the secondend 76 of the main body 72 and as part of the side wall 96 of inlet airduct 90 that is adjacent the second end 76 of the main body 72, the sidewall 96 of inlet air duct 90 effectively separates the front and backsurfaces of the oil cooler 10 from one another. That is, the plate fins54 on second surface 52 of base plate 12 are positioned within theinterior volume 100 of the inlet air duct 90, while the pin fins 60 onthe cover plate 14 are positioned outside of the inlet air duct 90. Theseparation of the front and back surfaces of the oil cooler 10 providedby the inlet air duct 90 allows for a first air flow to be directedacross the plate fins 54 and a second air flow across the pin fins60—with the first and second air flows being separate from one another,such that each air flow can be independently controlled across the oilcooler 10. According to one embodiment, the air flows across theopposing sides of the oil cooler 10 can be controlled based on thecooling needs of the engine and alternator coupled to the alternatoradaptor 70.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, according to an exemplary embodiment,the alternator adaptor 70 further includes an alternator cooling duct110 that directs an air flow (i.e., second air flow) across the pin fins60 of the oil cooler 10. The alternator cooling duct 110 is positionedadjacent the inlet air duct 90 and next to the side wall 96 thereof thatincludes the oil cooler 10 integrated therein. The alternator coolingduct 110 is similar in shape to inlet air duct 90 but may be smaller insize as compared to the inlet air duct 90. The alternator cooling duct110 may thus have a generally rectangular cross-section, with a top wall112, bottom wall 114, and side walls 116 generally defining an interiorvolume of the alternator cooling duct and outlining a rectangularopening 118 on one side of the alternator cooling duct 110 that ispositioned adjacent the opening 100 of inlet air duct 90. The top walland bottom wall of alternator cooling duct 110 curve in to mate flushwith a surface of the alternator that is mounted to the alternatormounting flange 80. Specifically, the alternator cooling duct 110 mateswith a cylindrical outer casing 120 of the alternator that includes aplurality of vents 122 therein, with the outer casing 120 positionedabout oil cooler 10 so as to be positioned over the pin fins 60 of coverplate 14. A flow path between the rectangular opening 118 of alternatorcooling duct 110 and the pin fins 60 is thus provided—with an air flow(i.e., second air flow) entering into the rectangular opening 118 ofalternator cooling duct 110, flowing through vents 122 in outer casing120, and then flowing across the pin fins 60 of oil cooler 10 to providecooling thereto.

The integration of oil cooler 10 into alternator adaptor 70 thusprovides a means for providing separate air flows across heat sink fins54, 60 on opposing sides of the oil cooler 10, with the air flows beingindependently controlled to provide optimized cooling to each of anengine and an alternator coupled to the alternator adaptor 70. Thedouble-sided cooling provided to oil cooler 10 by the separate air flowsincreases convective heat transfer between the oil cooler 10 and theambient environment, thereby providing for effective regulation of theengine oil temperature and efficient operation of the internalcombustion engine.

Referring now to FIG. 12, integration of the oil cooler 10 and adaptorcomponent 70 into a standby generator 130 is shown in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. The standby generator 130 produceselectrical energy and may deliver the electrical energy to adistribution panel of a home, office, shop, business or any otherbuilding requiring electricity. The standby generator 130 may include aninternal combustion engine, an alternator driven by the internalcombustion engine, and other associated components. The internalcombustion engine operates on a fuel source that may include gasoline,diesel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), propane, butane, natural gas, orany other fuel source suitable for operating the engine. For instance,the internal combustion engine may comprise a single fuel engineconfigured to operate on one of the fuels. Alternatively, the engine maycomprise a dual fuel or multi-fuel engine configured to switch operationbetween two or more of the fuel sources. In one embodiment, the enginemay comprise a dual fuel engine configured to switch operation betweenLPG and gasoline, or LPG and diesel. The alternator and engine may forman engine-generator set used to produce electricity for distributionfrom the standby generator 130.

The standby generator 130 may include a standby generator enclosure 132to house the engine-generator set and other associated components. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 12, the engine-generator set is positioned in ahorizontal crankshaft arrangement with the alternator located toward afirst end 134 of the enclosure 132 and the engine located toward asecond end 136 of the enclosure 132. The standby generator enclosure 132may include a base 138 to support the engine-generator set. Theenclosure 132 may also have a first sidewall 140 and a second sidewall142 each extending generally vertically from opposite ends of the base138 at the first end 134 and the second end 136 of the enclosure 132,respectively. The enclosure 132 may also include a front wall 144 and aback wall 146 extending generally vertically from the base 138 betweenthe first sidewall 140 and the second sidewall 142, with the front wall144 and the back wall 146 defining a front and a back sidewall of thestandby generator 130. The front wall 144 and the back wall 146 may beangled slightly from vertical such that each has a bottom portionpositioned slightly inward from a corresponding top portion. The firstsidewall 140 and the second sidewall 142 may each have a respective topedge 148, 150 that generally slopes diagonally from a taller back wall146 to a shorter front wall 144.

The enclosure 132 may also include one or more hoods to cover thestandby generator 130. The embodiment shown in FIG. 12 has a first hood152 and a second hood 154, also referred to as doors, coupled to arespective first sidewall 140 and second sidewall 142. The first hood152 and the second hood 154 may each have a top panel 156, 158, a frontpanel 160, 162, and a side panel 164, 166 with the side panels generallyperpendicular to the respective top and front panels. The side panels164, 166 of each hood 152, 154 may each be a coupled to a respective oneof the first sidewall 140 and the second sidewall 142 of the enclosure132 using a first hinge 168, 170 and a second hinge 172, 174. The sidepanels 164, 166 may include vents 176, 178 with louvers, and vents maybe formed in the first sidewall 140 and the second sidewall 142. The toppanels 156, 158 are preferably sloped downward toward the front of theenclosure 132 and the front panels 160, 162 may slope forward toward thebase 138 of the enclosure 132 to enhance water runoff.

Each hood 152, 154 may also have a front transition panel 180, 182between the respective top panel 156, 158 and the front panel 160, 162.The front transition panels 180, 182 further encourage water runoff andadd to an aesthetically pleasing design. A handle 184, 186 may beattached to the front transition panel 180, 182 of each hood 152, 154for opening the hoods and exposing internal components of the standbygenerator 130. The front transition panels 180, 182 are designed so thehandles 184, 186 enhance accessibility by directionally facing a personstanding in front of the enclosure 132 when the hoods 152, 154 areclosed. Each hood 152, 154 may also have a rear transition panel 188,190 that slopes downward from the respective top panel 156, 158 towardthe back wall 146 when the hoods are closed. Each hood 152, 154 may alsohave a lower transition panel 192, 194 that slopes inward from therespective front panel 160, 162 toward the front wall 144 when the hoodsare closed. The rear transition panels 188, 190 and the lower transitionpanels 192, 194 further encourage water runoff and add to anaesthetically pleasing design.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the standby generator 130 is shown havingfirst hood 152 and second hood 154 in an open position. The generatorenclosure 132, also referred to as a housing 132, may have a base 138, atop (i.e. hoods 152, 154), and a plurality of sidewalls 140, 142, 144,146 defining an interior of the housing. The first hood 152 and thesecond hood 154 may be coupled to a respective sidewall 140, 142 using afirst hinge 168, 170 and a second hinge 172, 174 with the first hingesnear the back of the enclosure 132 and the second hinges near the frontof the enclosure 132. The first hood 152 may be hinged to the enclosure132 to rotate over a top of the first sidewall 140 and the second hood154 may be hinged to the enclosure 132 to rotate over a top of thesecond sidewall 142. The first hood 152 and the second hood 154 mayrotate about an upper or top edge 148, 150 of each respective sidewall140, 32 beyond the first end 134 and the second end 136 of the enclosure132 in a “gull wing” configuration for ease of access and serviceabilityto the generator 130. The “gull wing” configuration may allow the hoods42, 44 to open without contacting a home, office, shop, business, or anyother building requiring electricity located behind the standbygenerator 130.

The first hood 152 and the second hood 154 may open outwards beyond therespective first sidewall 140 and second sidewall 142 to expose a topand front entrance into the enclosure 132. The front wall 144 may berelatively short compared to the overall height of the enclosure 132 inpart to allow for improved front access into the enclosure 132 when thehoods 152, 154 are open. The back wall 146 may be relatively tallcompared to the front wall 144 with the first sidewall 140 and thesecond sidewall 142 having a forward sloping top edge 148, 150 from theback wall 146 to the front wall 144. The first hood 152 and the secondhood 154 can then open upward and slightly forward as they rotate alongthe forward sloping top edge 148, 150 of each respective sidewall 140,142. In other embodiments, the first hood 152 and the second hood 154may rotate about a horizontal or vertical edge of a respective firstsidewall 140 and second sidewall 142 between opened and closedpositions.

FIG. 13 also shows a support arm 196 extending across a center of theenclosure 132 to support the first hood 152 and the second hood 154 inthe closed position. The support arm 196 extends from the back wall 146over an engine-generator set 198 to the front wall 144 in the enclosure132. The support arm 196 may have a geometry that matches the first hood152 and the second hood 154 to ensure the hoods close tightly againstthe support arm. Accordingly, the support arm 196 may have a top panel200, a front panel 202, a front transition panel 204, and a reartransition panel 206 to match the first hood 152 and the second hood154. The support arm 196 may also receive a latch 208, 210 from eachhandle 184, 186 to hold the first hood 152 and the second hood 154closed.

The support arm 196 preferably has a channel or gutter 212 extending thelength of the support arm to channel water off the front and back of theenclosure 132. The gutter 212 may be formed by raised outer edges thatinclude a first rain seal 214 and a second rain seal 216 on oppositesides of the support arm 196. The first rain seal 214 and the secondrain seal 216 each support and seal a respective hood 152, 44 in theclosed position. The first rain seal 214 and the second rain seal 216may also extend across portions of the back wall 146, front wall 144,and respective first and second sidewalls 140, 142 to seal around eachperimeter entrance covered by the hoods 152, 154. The rain seals 214,216 prevent rain from entering the enclosure 132 and may make theenclosure rain tight. Although some water may enter the enclosure 132without negatively affecting the generator 130, it is desirable toprevent water from entering the electrical areas within the enclosure132. The rain seals 214, 216 may make the electrical areas within theenclosure 132 rain tight.

In one embodiment of the invention, the enclosure 132 may comprise amulti-chamber standby generator enclosure comprising a plurality ofchambers. The enclosure 132 may be separated into a right chamber 218and a left chamber 220 by a partition wall 222, with the engine 224 andthe alternator 226 mounted in separate respective chambers 218, 220 ofthe plurality of chambers. The partition wall 222 may extend from thesupport arm 196 to the base 138 of the enclosure 132, and also from thefront wall 144 to the back wall 146 of the enclosure 132. The partitionwall 222 may have an opening 228 through which the engine 224 mounted tothe base 138 in the left chamber 220 can couple to drive the alternator226 mounted to the base 138 in the right chamber 218. The partition wall222 may comprise a main segment 230 aligned with the support arm 196 andan offset segment 232 spaced apart from the main segment in a directionopposite the engine 224. The offset segment 232 provides clearance forair to flow between the engine 224 and air inlet duct 90 from an airflowopening 234 in the back wall 146.

FIG. 13 shows the engine 224 mounted in a horizontal crankshaftorientation with the crankshaft driving the alternator 226 through theopening 228 in the partition wall 222. The engine 224 may comprise anair-cooled engine having an engine cooling fan 236 at a front portion ofthe engine facing the partition wall 222. The engine fan 236 may draw astream of air along the offset segment 232 of the partition wall 222into the enclosure 132 through the airflow opening 234 in the back wall146. The engine fan 236 preferably drives the stream of air overcylinders 238, 240 of the engine 224 in a direction toward the secondend 136 of the enclosure 132. The engine 224 may also include an exhaustsystem 242 operatively coupled to the engine 224, the exhaust system 242may comprise one or more exhaust pipes 244, 246 extending from theengine 224 in a direction downstream from the engine cooling fan 236,and a muffler 248 may be coupled to at least one of the one or moreexhaust pipes 244, 246.

The muffler 248 may be positioned within a muffler box 250. The mufflerbox 250 can surround the muffler 248 managing heat transfer from themuffler 248 within the enclosure 132. The muffler box 250 may extendapproximately from the engine 224 to the second sidewall 142 andapproximately from the front wall 144 to the back wall 146 of theenclosure 132. The muffler box 250 may mount to the base 138 of theenclosure 132 and extend to a height above cylinders 238, 240 of theengine 224. The exhaust pipes 244, 246 may extend through an opening 252into the muffler box 250, with the opening 252 positioned in an airflowpath downstream from the engine fan 236. The muffler box 250 receivescooling air expelled from the engine 224 through the opening 252 andcools the muffler 248 by directing the cooling air over the muffler 248.The muffler box 250 may also direct the cooling air out of the enclosure132 through vents 178 in the second sidewall 142.

The alternator 226 may be driven by the engine 224 to produce electricalpower for distribution from the standby generator 130. The alternator226 may have a first end 254 coupled to the engine 224 and a second end256 having an alternator cooling fan 258 on a side of the alternator 226opposite the engine 224. Alternator cooling duct 110 is shown coupled toa side of the alternator 226 proximate the first end 254 in fluidcommunication with the alternator cooling fan 258. Accordingly, thealternator may comprise an alternator cooling fan 258 that draws airthrough the alternator 226 in a direction opposite the engine 224. In apreferred embodiment, the alternator cooling duct 110 extends to anairflow opening 262 in the back wall 146 and includes a boot 264 sealingthe air duct 110 to the opening 152. The alternator cooling fan 258draws cooling air axially through the alternator 226 from the alternatorcooling duct 110 and can drive the cooling air out of the enclosure 132through vents 176 in the first sidewall 140.

The standby generator 130 may include a control system 266 to operatethe generator 130. The control system 266 may include a control box 268to receive generator control components therein. The control box 268 isshown mounted behind the alternator 226 to the back wall 146 in theright chamber 218. The control system 266 may include a touch screendisplay 270 mounted on the control box 268, which may receive controlinputs and/or display generator operating parameters. The control system266 may include a first and a second circuit breaker 272, 274 havingmanual switches mounted on an outer surface of the control box 268. Thecircuit breakers 272, 274 can couple to electrical distribution linesfrom the alternator 226 such that the manual switches can be operated tocontrol electrical distribution from the generator 130. The controlsystem 266 may also include a battery charger 276 mounted on thepartition wall 222 to charge a first battery 278 and a second battery280 located on the base 138 in front of the alternator 226. Thebatteries 278, 280 can be used to crank the engine 224 for startup inthe event of a power outage in the utility grid.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the engine 224 may comprise a v-twin enginehaving two cylinders 238, 240. Each cylinder 238, 240 may receive a fueland air mixture from a carburetor 286 located between or slightly abovethe cylinders 238, 240. The carburetor 286 mixes air with a liquid fuel,e.g. gasoline, and supplies the mixture to the cylinders 238, 240. Thecarburetor 286 can be coupled to receive air from an air filter 288mounted on a top portion of the engine 224. The air filter 288 mayreceive air through an air duct 290.

FIG. 15 also shows a fan cover 292 mounted over the engine cooling fan236 between the engine 224 and the alternator adaptor 70, the fan cover292 preferably having an airflow opening 294 surrounding the crankshaft296 of the engine. The engine fan 236 is shown mounted to the crankshaft296 via a fan base 298. The engine fan 236 preferably draws a stream ofcooling air through the alternator adaptor 70 into the opening 294 in amain section 300 of the fan cover 292. Accordingly, the engine coolingfan 236 may be operatively coupled to the crankshaft 296 on a side ofthe engine 224 driving the alternator 226.

The fan cover 292 may be mounted over a front side 302 of the engine224. The fan cover 292 can include the main section 300 covering theengine fan 236, and a first arm 304 and a second arm 306 each extendingfrom the main section to cover the front side 302 of a respectivecylinder 238, 240. For instance, the fan cover 292 is shown mounted overthe engine cooling fan 236 and over sides of two cylinder blocks 308,310 and sides of two cylinder heads 312, 314 of the cylinders 238, 240facing the alternator 226. The engine fan 236 preferably drives coolingair from the main section 300 through the first arm 304 and the secondarm 306 to the cylinders 238, 240.

In order to provide for mounting of the engine 224 and engine coolingfan 236 to the alternator adaptor 70, the fan cover 292 includes analternator adaptor mounting surface 316. The engine mounting flange 78of alternator adaptor 70 extends from the main body 72 to mate againstthe alternator adaptor mounting surface 316 of the fan cover 292.Fasteners 86 can extend through openings in the alternator adaptormounting surface 316 to mount the alternator adaptor 70 to a crankcase320. The fan cover 292 is shown having three openings 322 for thefasteners 86 with one opening located in a tab 324 extending outwardfrom the main section 300 of the fan cover 292. The crankcase 320 mayhave mounting locations 326 each comprising a boss extending forwardfrom the engine 224 and each having a threaded opening to receive arespective fastener 86 from the alternator adaptor 70. As shown in FIG.15, fasteners 86 are received in openings of first set of mountingprojections 84 to couple the engine 224 to the alternator adaptor 70.Additionally, a fastener 86 is received in opening 104 of support arm102 to couple the alternator adaptor 70 to the engine 224.

In order to provide for mounting of the alternator 226 to the alternatoradaptor 70, the cylindrical outer casing 120 of the alternator 226 issized to mount against and about the alternator mounting flange 80 onthe alternator adaptor 70. The alternator mounting flange 80 maycomprise a circular plate with an indented ridge around a perimeter edgeto receive the cylindrical outer casing 120 of the alternator 226. Asshown in FIG. 4, fasteners 326 are received in openings of projections328 formed on the outer casing 120 of alternator 226 and extend throughopening in second set of mounting projections 88 of main body 72 ofalternator adaptor 70 to couple the alternator 226 to the alternatoradaptor 70.

In operation of generator, the engine cooling fan 236 of engine 224 isdriven by the crankshaft 296 to cool the engine 224, with the enginecooling fan drawing a first stream of air into the housing 132 ofstandby generator 130 through at least one of the one or more airflowopenings/inlets 234 (FIG. 13) and driving the first stream of air outthrough at least one or more airflow outlets (e.g. vents 178) (FIG. 12).The inlet air duct 90 fluidly couples the engine 224 to the airflowopenings/inlets 234 in fluid communication with the engine fan 236. Thealternator fan 258 of alternator 226 is driven by the crankshaft 296,with the alternator fan cooling the alternator 226 by drawing a secondstream of air into the housing 132 through at least one of the one ormore airflow openings/inlets 262 (FIG. 13) and driving the second streamof air out through at least one or more airflow outlets (e.g. vents 176)(FIG. 12). The alternator cooling duct 110 couples the alternator 226 tothe airflow inlets 262 in fluid communication with the alternator fan258.

Beneficially, embodiments of the invention provide a double-sided oilcooler that may be cooled on both sides to optimize a thermal transferof heat from engine oil flowing through the oil cooler to the ambientenvironment. Cooling fins on each of front and back surfaces of the oilcooler provide for enhanced convective heat transfer between the oilcooler and the environment, thereby providing for effective regulationof the engine oil temperature cycled therethrough. The oil cooler may beintegrated into an adaptor component that may be used to arrange andmount an engine and alternator of a standby generator relative to oneanother. The adaptor component provides for separation between the frontand back surfaces of the oil cooler, such that separate air flows may bedirected over each of the front and back surfaces. The air flows may beindependently controlled to provide optimized cooling to each of theengine and alternator.

Therefore, according to one embodiment of the invention, an oil coolerincludes a base plate and a cover plate. The base plate includes arecessed portion formed on a first surface of the base plate, therecessed portion defined by an interior wall and an exterior wall, withthe recessed portion including an inlet port and an outlet port. Thebase plate also includes a divider wall positioned in the recessedportion and extending between the exterior wall and the interior wall toseparate the inlet port and the outlet port, a plurality of protrusionsarranged in the recessed portion to provide a plurality of tortuous flowpaths through which oil flows from the inlet port to the outlet port,and a first set of cooling fins formed on a second surface of the baseplate opposite the first surface. The cover plate is attached to thefirst surface of the base plate so as to cover the recessed portion andthereby define a cavity to circulate the oil therethrough, the coverplate including a second set of cooling fins formed thereon.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a standby generatorincludes an internal combustion engine, an alternator driven by theinternal combustion engine to produce electrical power for distributionfrom the standby generator, and an adaptor component comprising a firstend coupled to the engine and a second end spaced apart from the firstend and coupled to the alternator, the adaptor component positioned suchthat the internal combustion engine is on a first side thereof and thealternator is on a second side thereof. The standby generator alsoincludes an oil cooler fluidly connected to the internal combustionengine to receive heated oil therefrom and return cooled oil backthereto, the oil cooler integrated with or affixed to the adaptercomponent.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, an oil coolerassembly includes an adaptor component having an engine mounting flangeat a first end of the adaptor component that is couplable to an internalcombustion engine, an alternator mounting flange at a second end of theadaptor component that is couplable to an alternator, and an inlet airduct positioned between the first end and the second end, the inlet airduct defining an air inlet opening that provides for an air flow into aninterior volume of the inlet air duct. The oil cooler assembly alsoincludes an oil cooler integrated with or affixed to the adaptercomponent such that a front surface of the oil cooler is outside of theinterior volume of the inlet air duct and a back surface of the oilcooler is within the interior volume of the inlet air duct, the oilcooler including cooling fins on each of the front surface and backsurface thereof.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An oil cooler comprising: a base plate including:a recessed portion formed on a first surface of the base plate, therecessed portion defined by an interior wall and an exterior wall, withthe recessed portion including an inlet port and an outlet port; adivider wall positioned in the recessed portion and extending betweenthe exterior wall and the interior wall to separate the inlet port andthe outlet port; a plurality of protrusions arranged in the recessedportion to provide a plurality of tortuous flow paths through which oilflows from the inlet port to the outlet port; and a first set of coolingfins formed on a second surface of the base plate opposite the firstsurface; and a cover plate attached to the first surface of the baseplate so as to cover the recessed portion and thereby define a cavity tocirculate the oil therethrough, the cover plate including a second setof cooling fins formed thereon.
 2. The oil cooler of claim 1 wherein theexterior wall and the interior wall comprise generally circular-shapedwalls that are spaced apart from one another, such that the cavitycomprises a donut-shaped cavity.
 3. The oil cooler of claim 1 whereinthe plurality of protrusions form a waffle iron pattern, with gapsprovided between each respective protrusion and one or more adjacentprotrusions.
 4. The oil cooler of claim 3 wherein the waffle ironpattern provides the plurality of tortuous flow paths through which oilflows from the inlet port to the outlet port, such that there is nosingle defined flow path between the inlet port and the outlet port. 5.The oil cooler of claim 1 wherein the exterior wall comprises fingerportions extending inwardly from the exterior wall and into the cavity,the finger portions kicking oil back into the plurality of tortuous flowpaths, so as to prevent oil flow dead zones within the cavity.
 6. Theoil cooler of claim 1 wherein the first set of cooling fins comprisesplate fins.
 7. The oil cooler of claim 1 wherein the second set ofcooling fins comprises pin fins.
 8. The oil cooler of claim 1 whereinthe base plate includes threaded holes formed therein to receivefasteners that secure the cover plate to the base plate.
 9. The oilcooler of claim 1 further comprising an adaptor component secured to thebase plate or formed integrally therewith.
 10. The oil cooler of claim 9wherein the adaptor component is constructed to define: a first air flowpath that directs a first air flow across the first set of cooling fins;and a second air flow path that directs a second air flow across thesecond set of cooling fins; wherein the adaptor component separates thefirst air flow path from the second air flow path such that the firstand second air flows may be independently provided across the oil coolerto provide double-sided cooling thereto.
 11. A standby generatorcomprising: an internal combustion engine; an alternator driven by theinternal combustion engine to produce electrical power for distributionfrom the standby generator, and an adaptor component comprising a firstend coupled to the engine and a second end spaced apart from the firstend and coupled to the alternator, the adaptor component positioned suchthat the internal combustion engine is on a first side thereof and thealternator is on a second side thereof; and an oil cooler fluidlyconnected to the internal combustion engine to receive heated oiltherefrom and return cooled oil back thereto, the oil cooler integratedwith or affixed to the adapter component.
 12. The standby generator ofclaim 11 wherein the oil cooler is integrated with or affixed to theadapter component at the second end thereof, so as to be positioned thealternator.
 13. The standby generator of claim 11 wherein the adaptorcomponent comprises: a main body forming the first end and the secondend of the adaptor component, the main body including an engine mountingflange at the first end, an alternator mounting flange at the secondend, and one or more vents formed therein between the first and secondends, the engine mounting flange defining an airflow outlet of the mainbody; an inlet air duct positioned on the main body between the firstend and the second end, the inlet air duct comprising a top wall, bottomwall, and a pair of side walls that define an air inlet opening orientedperpendicular to the main body; and an alternator cooling ductpositioned adjacent the second end of the adaptor component, thealternator cooling duct comprising a top wall, bottom wall, and a pairof side walls that define an air inlet opening oriented perpendicular tothe main body; wherein the oil cooler is integrated with or affixed tothe adapter component adjacent the alternator mounting flange andadjacent a side wall of the pair of side walls of the air inlet duct.14. The standby generator of claim 13 wherein the air inlet opening ofthe inlet air duct, the one or more vents in the main body, and theairflow outlet of the main body form a first air flow path to theengine, and wherein the air inlet opening of the alternator cooling ductand vents in a fan guard of the alternator form a second air flow pathto the alternator.
 15. The standby generator of claim 14 wherein the oilcooler comprises a double-sided oil cooler having cooling fins formed oneach of front and back surfaces thereof, with the back surface of theoil cooler generally positioned within the first air flow path and thefront surface of the oil cooler generally positioned within the secondair flow path.
 16. The standby generator of claim 15 further comprising:an engine cooling fan positioned adjacent the first end of the adaptorcomponent and configured to draw a flow of cooling air through the firstair flow path and direct the flow of cooling air toward the internalcombustion engine; and an alternator cooling fan positioned adjacent thesecond end of the adaptor component and configured to draw a flow ofcooling air through the second air flow path and direct the flow ofcooling air toward the alternator.
 17. The standby generator of claim 11wherein the oil cooler comprises a base plate and a cover plate joinedtogether to form a cavity through which the heated oil from the internalcombustion engine flows, wherein the base plate includes: an interiorwall and an exterior wall that define boundaries of the cavity; an inletport and an outlet port positioned to provide a flow of oil into and outof the cavity; a divider wall extending between the exterior wall andthe interior wall and positioned to separate the inlet port and theoutlet port; and a waffle iron pattern of wall portions arranged withinthe cavity to provide a plurality of tortuous flow paths through whichoil flows from the inlet port to the outlet port when flowing throughthe cavity.
 18. An oil cooler assembly comprising: an adaptor componentcomprising: an engine mounting flange at a first end of the adaptorcomponent that is couplable to an internal combustion engine; analternator mounting flange at a second end of the adaptor component thatis couplable to an alternator; and an inlet air duct positioned betweenthe first end and the second end, the inlet air duct defining an airinlet opening that provides for an air flow into an interior volume ofthe inlet air duct; and an oil cooler integrated with or affixed to theadapter component such that a front surface of the oil cooler is outsideof the interior volume of the inlet air duct and a back surface of theoil cooler is within the interior volume of the inlet air duct, the oilcooler including cooling fins on each of the front surface and backsurface thereof.
 19. The oil cooler assembly of claim 18 wherein the oilcooler is integrated with or affixed to the adapter component adjacentthe alternator mounting flange.
 20. The oil cooler assembly of claim 18wherein the oil cooler comprises a base plate and a cover plate joinedtogether to form a cavity through which the heated oil from the internalcombustion engine flows, wherein the base plate includes: an interiorwall and an exterior wall that define boundaries of the cavity; an inletport and an outlet port positioned to provide a flow of oil into and outof the cavity; a divider wall extending between the exterior wall andthe interior wall and positioned to separate the inlet port and theoutlet port; and a waffle iron pattern of wall portions arranged withinthe cavity to provide a plurality of undefined tortuous flow pathsthrough which oil flows from the inlet port to the outlet port whenflowing through the cavity.